The EU to Impose New Sanctions Aimed at Russian Shadow Fleet
The next package of EU sanctions will target the shadow fleet of tankers used to transport Russian oil in circumvention of existing sanctions, according to Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström. The measures will also include a ban on the import of liquefied natural gas, as reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Reuters.
«Adopting the 14th package of sanctions is a top priority. We are looking to implement a ban on importing liquefied natural gas and take action against the Russian shadow fleet,» Billström stated ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Billström clarified that discussions on the 14th package of sanctions are still in the early stages and will not be finalized at the upcoming meeting in Luxembourg.
Vice President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, previously announced that the sanctions package will include a comprehensive set of measures designed to counter circumvention efforts, particularly in the maritime sector, as Russia attempts to bypass the agreed-upon price limit for oil exports.
The price limit, established by the G7 countries, the European Union, and Australia, prohibits the use of Western maritime services when tankers transport Russian oil at prices exceeding $60 per barrel. The U.S. recently strengthened these restrictions with sanctions in October, targeting the Russian state shipping company Sovcomflot.
